The ASEAN+3 leaders at the summit (Source: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on November 21 asserted that ASEAN should ensure cooperation with partner and dialogue countries in the East Asian region through initiatives.
Speaking at the ASEAN+3 Submit in Kuala Lumpur, the PM said cooperation with three partners, including China, Japan and Republic of Korea is a driving force for fostering a greater regional collaboration toward a long-term goal of building the East Asian community.
He expressed belief that the cooperation will make more contributions to promoting peace and prosperity in the region.
2015 marks an important milestone for ASEAN with the establishment of the ASEAN Community at the year’s end, he said, adding that maintaining cooperation with the three partners will help improve living conditions of people in ASEAN and East Asia in general.
During the meeting, China called for more economic integration and financial stability protection in the East Asian region in the context that regional countries are seeking tighter relations.
Premier Li Keqiang announced that China readies to cooperate with other countries to complete prolonged negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2016 with a view to bolstering regional trade and integration.
In addition, talks on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and ASEAN will be concluded soon, he said.-VNA
